Shower scrub

ABSTRACT

The shower scrubbing device provides a battery operated hand-held device having an elongate extendable handle, and three rotating brush heads.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/864,668 filed Aug. 12, 2013, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Shower Scrub.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a shower scrub and, more particularly, the invention relates to a shower scrub providing an elongated, motorized scrub brush for cleansing all areas of the shower and bath, especially sections that are difficult to reach with conventional tools.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Although maintaining a clean and sanitary bathroom environment is of utmost importance in order to ensure a healthy household, doing so is not without drawbacks. Specifically, manually scrubbing soap scum, dirt, and other residue from flooring, shower tiles, and bathtubs, can be exhausting, time consuming, and back breaking work. As many people would attest, even the most expensive, quality cleaning products cannot remove serious rust stains, mold, and grimy residue, unless they are used in conjunction with a scouring sponge or cleaning brush. Requiring intensive labor that can result in achy arms, hands, and backs, scrubbing surface areas with these tools can effectively remove stains, but can leave one feeling tired and sore. Additionally, sitting on one's knees while scrubbing the floor of a bathtub or shower can be painful and exhausting as well. When compounded with the effort which must be exerted to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as the upper corners of a shower stall or the low, far corners of the tub, it is little wonder that cleaning the bathroom is one of the least favorite of all household chores. This problem can be especially challenging for those who suffer arthritis, limited mobility, or back pain, conditions which can render the task of properly cleaning a bathroom nearly impossible to complete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for scrubbing a shower comprising a device having an elongate extendable handle, and three rotating brush heads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front side perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front close up view of the brush heads of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is a shower scrub providing an elongated, motorized scrub brush for cleansing all areas of the shower and bath, especially sections that are difficult to reach with conventional tools.

The shower scrub 10 of the present invention comprises an elongate cylindrical handle having a hand grip 12 at its proximal end to ensure a secure, comfortable grip while the device is in use. The elongate handle comprises two cylindrical sections, wherein one section fits inside the other and is extendable in length by means of releasing the outer section, elongating the device and securing the length by screwing the sections together at extension section 32. Additionally, a handy On/Off switch 14 is located on the length of the handle for operating the device. Extending upward, above the distal end, the body of the shower scrub comprises swivel-joint 16 that allows brush head 18 to bend to conform to tight corners and cracks, as well as to facilitate easy compactability for storage between uses. The distal end of the shower scrub features novel rotating brush head assembly 18. Brush head assembly comprises three brush heads. The first brush head 42 comprises tapered bristles and extends directly from the end of the brush head assembly. Two additional brush heads 44 extend from each side of the brush head assembly 18 and are situated opposite each other on two opposing sides of brush head 18. Augmented with motorized pivot joints 24 which accommodate full 360° freedom of rotation, these waterproof brush heads comprise fiber, nylon, or synthetic bristles 26. Brush heads 42 and 44 rotate when the power switch is turned on. Power to the shower scrub is provided by a rechargeable or replaceable battery source, such as nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride.

Use of the shower scrub of the present invention is very simple and straightforward. First, the user adjusts the unit handle in accordance to the area he or she wishes to clean. By way of example, if scouring the upper shower walls, the user extends the unit to its full length, which enables scrubbing while comfortably standing upright. Conversely, if cleaning tiles surrounding the bathtub, the user shortens the unit to accommodate the height difference. Next, the user applies a favorite cleanser to the area to be cleaned, and then power on the shower scrub. By simply placing the motorized brush heads flush against the surface, the user need only allow the bristles to whisk away dirt, grime, and mildew. After use, the user rinses the brush heads clean, folds the handle, and stores the unit away until again needed.

The shower scrub of the present invention offers many significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the extendable scrub brush enables users to clean their bathrooms in a quick and efficient manner. Eliminating the backbreaking work associated with scrubbing the bathroom by hand, use of the scrub allows users to thoroughly clean their bathrooms, in minimal time and with little effort. Easily removing soap scum, mildew, dirt, and grime, the shower scrub proves an efficient alternative to standard methods of cleaning. Users will especially appreciate that the shower scrub features an elongated, adjustable handle. Because of this, hard-to-reach areas such as the corners of the shower stall, upper wall sections, and the base of the tub can all be efficiently cleaned while the user stands upright, thereby eliminating the burden of getting on the hands and knees to clean. As such, the scrub is especially beneficial to the elderly or those not in optimal health, allowing them to clean their shower and tub areas without difficulty or the threat of injury. Another important advantage to the scrub is that although the shower scrub easily removes dirt, soap scum, and other residue, the scrub is safe to use on virtually any surface, such as glass, ceramic tile, or fiberglass bath areas. While primarily conceived for household use, this lightweight product proves a valuable tool to those in the janitorial business as well as professional cleaning services, affording a viable and timesaving alternative to scrubbing bathrooms by hand. In addition, the shower scrub can be easily stored alongside mops, brooms, and other household cleaning devices, taking up little space in a storage closet or professional cleaning cart.

The shower scrub of the present invention helps users with the chore of cleaning. Practical, the shower scrub enables users to thoroughly clean a variety of surfaces in an easy and expedient manner and proves an invaluable accessory in any household.

The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein. 

1. A shower scrubbing device comprising an elongate cylindrical handle having a hand grip at its proximal end, and a rotating brush head assembly at its distal end, further comprising an On/Off switch located on the length of the handle, wherein the rotating brush head assembly comprises three brush heads, wherein the first brush head comprises tapered bristles and extends directly from the end of the brush head assembly, and further wherein two additional brush heads extend from each side of the brush head assembly and are situated opposite each other on two opposing sides of brush head assembly, further comprising motorized pivot joints which accommodate full 360° freedom of rotation, wherein brush heads rotate when the power switch is turned on.
 2. The shower scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein power to rotate the brush heads assembly is provided by a rechargeable or replaceable battery source, such as nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride.
 3. The shower scrub device of claim 2, further comprising a swivel joint above the brush head assembly which swivel joint allows brush head assembly to bend to conform to tight corners and cracks.
 4. The shower scrub device of claim 2, wherein the elongate handle comprises two cylindrical sections, wherein one section fits inside the other and is extendable in length by means of releasing the outer section, elongating the device and securing the length by tightening the sections.
 5. The shower scrub device of claim 2 wherein the brush heads are waterproof and the bristles comprise fiber, nylon, or synthetic bristles. 